HOUSTON – On Thursday, KPRC 2 Investigates reported on extensive delays growing within the city’s crime lab, the Houston Forensic Science Center.
“It’s a serious issue for us, and it’s going to continue to be a serious issue,” said Dr. Peter Stout, HFSC’s President and CEO.
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg called the delays “unacceptable” after KPRC 2 Investigates requested comment from her office regarding the rise in delayed testing at HFSC.
The center, which examines key evidence to help prove guilt or innocence, has received nearly $5 million from the city of Houston over the past year to help speed up the significant delays. However, the numbers show skyrocketing delays in the past year for testing of sexual assault kits and firearms examinations.
Stout confirmed with KPRC 2 Investigates the delays are even worse if a prosecutor were to request a firearm examination on a case not listed in HFSC’s growing backlogs.
“We’re out in March of 2025,” said Stout, referencing 20 months from now as to when his examiners will be able to tackle a new test.
Stout said the issues are staffing. The center has seen five examiners focused on sexual assault kits and two firearms analysts exit in the last year. Replacing those vacancies has not been easy, according to Stout, adding while they do have some new hires in the pipeline, it will take at least two years to train them.
In the meantime, HFSC workers are forced to make difficult decisions amid the heavy backlogs.
“It’s a horrible circumstance to try and decide whose homicide goes first because it’s all homicides,” said Stout.
Councilmember Mike Knox has concerns.
“Justice delayed is justice denied and it’s denied for everybody,” Knox said.
Not only is Knox a former member of HPD, but he also is the Vice Chair of the City’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.
“Taking the evidence to the courtroom is vital to the public safety of Houston and indeed the whole county because if you don’t get the evidence in the courtroom, the bad guys don’t get to go to prison, they get released,” said Knox. “So, getting people motivated to get those jobs done quickly and accurately and get them over to the DA’s office quickly is vital to the function of our criminal justice system. It also will help release people who are not guilty.”
Battling crime has been a primary objective for Mayor Sylvester Turner through his “One Safe Houston” campaign. KPRC 2 Investigates did request a comment from the mayor’s office regarding our findings, but a spokesperson said he was out of town.
“As you know, Mayor Turner is leading an economic and trade mission in West Africa. He will be back next week,” said Mary Benton, Communication Director for Mayor Turner.
KPRC 2 Investigates will follow up with Turner once he is back in Houston.